System and method for management of product movement

ABSTRACT

A shelving system includes customer shelves, and a top shelf is positioned generally above the customer shelves. The top shelf and a back room are not accessible to the public, but the customer shelves are accessible to the public. First scans of the top shelf and second scans of the customer shelves and back room inventory values for the selected product are obtained. A determination is made as whether there is inventory of the selected product in the back room. When there is available space on the top shelf, when the available space is within a predetermined distance of the location, and when there is inventory of the selected product in the back room, instructions are transmitted to an automated vehicle to cause the automated vehicle to selectively move at least some of the selected product from the back room to the top shelf.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of the following U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/471,422 filed Mar. 15, 2017, which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to the management of product movement,and more particularly, to the management of product movement within aretail store.

BACKGROUND

Stores utilize various measures to keep track of and manage products.One such measure is the perpetual inventory (PI) value associated with aproduct. In aspects, the PI value represents the quantity of product inthe store. The PI value typically changes over time so as to accuratelyreflect the number of actual products in the store. For instance,products are purchased by customers and removed from the store affectingthe PI value. Shipments arrive at the store and include additionalproducts also affecting the PI value.

Stores also utilize other measures that relate to the value andavailability of products for accounting and other purposes. For example,a back room quantity value of a product may be the value of all of theproduct present in the back room (storage area) of the retail store.

Sometimes the PI value does not accurately reflect the correct number ofproducts in the store. This can happen for a variety of reasonsincluding mis-scanning products as the products leave or depart thestore, or other forms of human error. If the PI value is incorrect, thenvarious problems can develop. For instance, shipments can be ordered atthe wrong times and for the wrong quantity of products.

Products also move between different areas of the store. The movementmay be initiated based upon changes to the PI value. For instance,movement of products occurs between a back room (where products arestored) and shelves in the retail area of the store when it is believedproducts need to be restocked. Unfortunately, sometimes the products aremoved from the back room to the retail area, and then back to the backroom when it is discovered there are already sufficient numbers of theproduct in the retail area. Such movement wastes resources in the retailstore and results in inefficient operation of the retail store.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Disclosed herein are embodiments of systems, apparatuses and methodspertaining to managing product movement. This description includesdrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one example of a system that managesproduct movement in a retail store in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing one example of an approach for managingproduct movement in a retail store in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a shelving system in accordance withsome embodiments.

Elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity andhave not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensionsand/or relative positioning of some of the elements in the figures maybe exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improveunderstanding of various embodiments of the present invention. Also,common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in acommercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted in order tofacilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments of thepresent invention. Certain actions and/or steps may be described ordepicted in a particular order of occurrence while those skilled in theart will understand that such specificity with respect to sequence isnot actually required. The terms and expressions used herein have theordinary technical meaning as is accorded to such terms and expressionsby persons skilled in the technical field as set forth above exceptwhere different specific meanings have otherwise been set forth herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Generally speaking, systems, apparatuses and methods are provided thatmanage product dispositions within retail stores. Advantageously,movement of products between the back room and top shelf of a retailstore is optimized. These approaches ensure that there are no returns ofthe product from the top shelf to the back room once an attempt is madeto move the product from the back room to the top shelf.

In some of these embodiments, a system that is configured to control themovement of products between a back room in a retail store and a salesarea in the retail store includes a shelving system, a first sensor, asecond sensor, a database, and a control circuit. The retail store has aback room that is not accessible to the public.

The shelving system includes a top shelf and customer shelves. Inaspects, the top shelf is positioned generally above the customershelves, and is not accessible to the public. The customer shelves areaccessible to the public. The first sensor is configured to obtain firstscans of the top shelf. The second sensor is configured to obtain secondscans of the customer shelves.

The database is configured to store a back room inventory value for theselected product. The back room inventory value is the amount of theselected product present in the back room.

The control circuit is coupled to the first sensor, the second sensor,and the database. The control circuit is configured to receive the firstscans from the first sensor. The second scans are from the secondsensor. The control circuit also receives the back room inventory valuefrom the database.

The control circuit is further configured to determine when there isavailable space for a selected product on the top shelf of the set ofshelves based upon a first analysis of the first scans. The controlcircuit is also configured to, based upon a second analysis of thesecond scans, determine a location of the selected product on thecustomer shelves and whether the location is within a predetermineddistance of the available space on the top shelf.

The control circuit is further configured to determine when there isinventory of the selected product in the back room based at least inpart upon the back room inventory value. The control circuit isconfigured to transmit first instructions to an automated vehicle tocause the automated vehicle to selectively move at least some of theselected product from the back room to the top shelf when all of threeconditions are met. The three conditions include when there is availablespace on the top shelf, when the available space is within apredetermined distance of the location, and when there is inventory ofthe selected product in the back room.

In aspects, the first sensor is coupled to a ceiling of the store. Inexamples, the first sensor is a camera. In other examples, the secondsensor is a scanner or a camera.

In other aspects, the control circuit is further configured to transmitsecond instructions to an automated vehicle to cause the automatedvehicle to determine when there is inventory of the selected product inthe back room. In other examples, the control circuit transmits secondinstructions to place the selected product in a position in the backroom allowing the automated vehicle to retrieve the selected productbefore other products.

In some examples, the back room includes a plurality of storage binswhere products can be placed. In other aspects, the automated vehicle isan automated ground vehicle or an automated aerial vehicle.

In others of these embodiments, the movement of products between a backroom in a retail store and the top shelf of a shelving system in theretail store is controlled. The shelving system also includes customershelves, and the top shelf is positioned generally above the customershelves. The top shelf and the back room are not accessible to thepublic, but the customer shelves are accessible to the public.

First scans of the top shelf and second scans of the customer shelvesare obtained. A back room inventory value for the selected product isstored. The back room inventory value is the amount of the selectedproduct present in the back room.

The first scans from the first sensor are received and the second scansfrom the second sensor are received, for example, from the retail store.The back room inventory value are received from the database. Adetermination is made as to whether there is available space for aselected product on the top shelf of the set of shelves based upon afirst analysis of the first scans. Based upon a second analysis of thesecond scans, a location of the selected product on the customer shelvesis determined and whether the location is within a predetermineddistance of the available space on the top shelf is also determined.

A determination is made as whether there is inventory of the selectedproduct in the back room based at least in part upon the back roominventory value. When there is available space on the top shelf, whenthe available space is within a predetermined distance of the location,and when there is inventory of the selected product in the back room,first instructions are transmitted to an automated vehicle to cause theautomated vehicle to selectively move at least some of the selectedproduct from the back room to the top shelf.

In still others of these embodiments, a system is configured to controlthe movement of products between a back room in a retail store and asales area in the retail store. The system includes an automatedvehicle, a shelving system, a first sensor, a second sensor, a database,a transceiver circuit, a network, and a control circuit.

The automated vehicle is disposed at a retail store. The shelving systemis disposed in the retail store and the retail store has a back room.The shelving system includes a top shelf and customer shelves. The topshelf is positioned generally above the customer shelves. The top shelfand the back room are not accessible to the public, and the customershelves are accessible to the public.

The first sensor is disposed at the retail store and is configured toobtain first scans of the top shelf. The second sensor is disposed atthe retail store and is configured to obtain second scans of thecustomer shelves

The database is disposed at the retail store and is configured to storea back room inventory value for the selected product. The back roominventory value is the amount of the selected product present in theback room.

The transceiver circuit is disposed at the retail store and is coupledto the database, the first sensor and the second sensor. The network iscoupled to the transceiver circuit.

The control circuit is coupled to the network and is disposed at acentral processing location. The control circuit is further configuredto receive the first scans from the first sensor, the second scans fromthe second sensor, and the back room inventory value from the database.The control circuit is still further configured to determine when thereis available space and a location of the available space for a selectedproduct on the top shelf of the set of shelves based upon a firstanalysis of the first scans.

The control circuit is yet further configured to based upon a secondanalysis of the second scans, determine a product location of theselected product on the customer shelves and whether the productlocation is within a predetermined distance of the available space onthe top shelf. The control circuit is configured to determine when thereis inventory of the selected product in the back room based at least inpart upon the back room inventory value. The control circuit is furtherconfigured to, when there is available space on the top shelf, when thelocation of the available space is within a predetermined distance ofthe product location, and when there is inventory of the selectedproduct in the back room, transmit first instructions to the automatedvehicle to cause the automated vehicle to selectively move at least someof the selected product from the back room to the top shelf.

Referring now to FIG. 1, one example of a system 100 for adjusting thePI value of a selected product in a retail store 102 is described. Theretail store 102 may be any type of retail store, for example, adiscount center, a grocery store, a department store, or a hardwarestore to mention a few examples.

The retail store 102 includes a back room 150. The back room 150 is aroom or other area of the retail store that is not accessible to thepublic. The back room 102 may be secured from public entry by usinglocks, doors, or any other approach of keeping the public from enteringthe back room 150. The back room 150 may be used to store products.Products may be shipped from a supplier and placed directly in the backroom 150.

The retail store 102 has a shelving system 170. The shelving system 170includes a top shelf 171 and customer shelves 172. In aspects, thestructure of the shelving system 170 is configured so that the top shelf171 is not accessible to the public. For example, the top shelf 171 maybe located at such a height that the public cannot access the top shelf171 (or products on the top shelf 171). In other examples, a barrier orother restraining device prevents public access to the top shelf 171. Itwill be appreciated that in some examples the top shelf is located abovethe customer shelves 172, the top shelf 171 may be located anywhere andin any direction with respect to the customer shelves 172.

The customer shelves 172 are accessible to the public. The customershelves 172 store the product.

A first sensor 174 senses products on the top shelf 171. In examples,the first sensor 174 may be secured to the ceiling of the store. Inexamples, the first sensor 174 is a camera that obtains visual images ofthe top shelf 171. The images can be processed to determine whether aproduct exists on the top shelf 171 and the location of the product onthe top shelf 171. In other examples, the sensor 174 is an RFID sensorthat senses RFID tags on products.

A second sensor 176 determines the existence and/or location of productson the customer shelves 172. In examples, the second sensor 176 is acamera that obtains visual images of the customer shelves 172. Theimages can be processed to determine whether a product exists on thecustomer shelves 172 and the location of the product on the customershelves 172. In other examples, the sensor 176 is an RFID sensor thatsenses RFID tags on products. The sensor 176 may be disposed at a fixedlocation. Either of the sensors 174 or 176 may be disposed at anautomated vehicle such as an automated ground vehicle or an aerialdrone.

The retail store 102 includes a database 152 that stores for eachproduct a PI value 122. The PI value 122 for the selected productindicates the amount of a selected product in the retail store. Thedatabase 152 also stores a back room inventory value 124. The back roominventory value 124 is the amount of the selected product present in theback room 150.

A communication device 154 allows the retail store 102 to communicatewith devices and entities that are external to the store. Thecommunication device 154 may include any combination of hardware orsoftware that allows communications to be received at the retail store102, and makes transmissions from the retail store 102. In one example,the communication device 154 may be a transceiver circuit. Thecommunication device 154 may be deployed within or at another device(e.g., a modem, a smart phone, or a personal computer, to mention a fewexamples).

Cloud network 104 is coupled to the communication device 154 (e.g., atransceiver) at the retail store 102. The cloud network 104 may be anytype of computer or communication network and may include routers,gateways, and servers to mention a few examples of devices that can formor be utilized in the network 104. The cloud network 104 may also becombinations of various types of networks.

The apparatus 106 includes an interface 130, a control circuit 132, anda database 134. The interface 130 is configured to receive from theretail store 102 the perpetual inventory (PI) value 122 and the backroom inventory value 124 associated with the selected product. Thedatabase 134 stores the PI value 122 and the back room inventory value124 obtained from the retail store 102. The interface 130 also receivesfirst scans from the sensor 174 and second scans from the second sensor176. The scans may also be stored in the data base 134. The apparatus106 may be deployed at a central processing center such as the homeoffice of the retail store. In aspects, the interface 130 may beincorporated into or be coextensive with the control circuit 132.

The control circuit 132 is coupled to the interface 130 and the database134. The control circuit 132 is configured to obtain the PI value 122,the back room inventory value 124, and the scans from the database 134.It will be appreciated that as used herein the term “control circuit”refers broadly to any microcontroller, computer, or processor-baseddevice with processor, memory, and programmable input/outputperipherals, which is generally designed to govern the operation ofother components and devices. It is further understood to include commonaccompanying accessory devices, including memory, transceivers forcommunication with other components and devices, etc. Thesearchitectural options are well known and understood in the art andrequire no further description here. The control circuit 132 may beconfigured (for example, by using corresponding programming stored in amemory as will be well understood by those skilled in the art) to carryout one or more of the steps, actions, and/or functions describedherein.

The control circuit 132 is configured to determine when there isavailable space for a selected product on the top shelf 171 of the setof shelves 170 based upon a first analysis of the first scans. Thecontrol circuit is also configured to, based upon a second analysis ofthe second scans, determine a location of the selected product on thecustomer shelves 172 and whether the location is within a predetermineddistance of the available space on the top shelf 171. The controlcircuit 132 is further configured to determine when there is inventoryof the selected product in the back room 150 based at least in part uponthe back room inventory value 124.

The control circuit 132 is configured to transmit first instructions toan automated vehicle to cause the automated vehicle to selectively moveat least some of the selected product from the back room 150 to the topshelf 171 when all of three conditions are met. The three conditionsinclude when there is available space on the top shelf 171, when theavailable space is within a predetermined distance of the location, andwhen there is inventory of the selected product in the back room 150.

Referring now to FIG. 2, one example of an approach for managing productmovement in a retail store is described. In others of these embodiments,the movement of products between a back room in a retail store and thetop shelf of a shelving system in the retail store is controlled. Theshelving system also includes customer shelves, and the top shelf ispositioned generally above the customer shelves. The top shelf and theback room are not accessible to the public, but the customer shelves areaccessible to the public.

At step 202, first scans of the top shelf and second scans of thecustomer shelves are obtained from sensors. A back room inventory valuefor the selected product is stored. The back room inventory value is theamount of the selected product present in the back room.

At step 204, the first scans from the first sensor are received and thesecond scans from the second sensor are received, for example, at acentral processing center and from the retail store. The scans can be inany data format or according to any protocol. In aspects, the scans arevisible images.

At step 206, the back room inventory value is obtained from thedatabase. The database may be at the central processing center or at theretail store. In aspects, the back room inventor value is transmittedfrom the database at the retail store to the database at the centralprocessing center.

At step 208, a determination is made as to whether there is availablespace for a selected product on the top shelf of the set of shelvesbased upon a first analysis of the first scans. The available space isof sufficient dimensions (e.g., height, width, depth, volume) for aproduct to be positioned at the space.

At step 210, based upon a second analysis of the second scans, alocation of the selected product on the customer shelves is determinedand whether the location is within a predetermined distance of theavailable space on the top shelf is also determined. In aspects, apredetermined coordinate system (e.g., the Cartesian coordinate system)is associated with or imposed upon the shelving system. Consequently,every location on the shelving system has coordinates. With knowncoordinates, the distance between points (e.g., between a product on acustomer shelf and an open space on the top shelf) can be easilydetermined using mathematical approaches well known to those skilled inthe art.

In aspects, the top shelf can be coated or painted with a material orpaint that can be sensed by the sensor. If a predetermined amount ofthis material is detected in the image, then a available space or areaexists on the top shelf.

At step 212, a determination is made as whether there is inventory ofthe selected product in the back room based at least in part upon theback room inventory value.

At step 214, when there is available space on the top shelf, when theavailable space is within a predetermined distance of the location, andwhen there is inventory of the selected product in the back room, firstinstructions are transmitted to an automated vehicle to cause theautomated vehicle to selectively move at least some of the selectedproduct from the back room to the top shelf.

Referring now to FIG. 3, an example of approaches to manage productmovement in a retail store is described. A shelving system 370 includesa top shelf 371 and retail shelves 372.

The structure of the shelving system 370 is configured so that the topshelf 371 is not accessible to the public. In this case, the top shelf371 may be located at such a height that the public cannot access thetop shelf 371 (or products 373 and 375 on the top shelf 371). Thecustomer shelves 372 are accessible to the public and store or hold aproduct 377.

A first sensor 374 disposed at the ceiling above the top shelf 371senses products on the top shelf 371. In examples, the first sensor 374is a camera that obtains visual images of the top shelf 371. The imagescan be processed to determine whether a product exists on the top shelf371 and the location of the product on the top shelf 371. In otherexamples, the sensor 374 is an RFID sensor that senses RFID tags onproducts.

In aspects, the top shelf can be coated or painted with a material orpaint that can be sensed by the sensor 374. If a predetermined amount,area, or volume of this material is detected in the image, then empty oravailable space exists on the top shelf 371. Visual images of knowproducts can then be compared to the image to determine the identity ofproducts on the top shelf. Additionally, the top shelf 371 may beassigned a known coordinate system such that identified products can becorrelated with the coordinate system and the location of the product(relative to the coordinate system) determined.

A second sensor 376 determines the existence and/or location of productson the customer shelves 372. In examples, the second sensor 376 is acamera that obtains visual images of the customer shelves 372. Theimages can be processed to determine whether the product 377 exists onthe customer shelves 372 and the location of the product 377 on thecustomer shelves 372. In these regards, the same coordinate system usedto define locations on the top shelf 371 also defines locations on theshelves 372.

In other examples, the sensor 376 is an RFID sensor that senses RFIDtags on products. The sensor 376 is disposed on an automated groundvehicle 379, but can be disposed on an aerial drone or at a fixedlocation.

A determination is made (e.g., at a central control center not shown inFIG. 3) as to whether there is available space for a selected product onthe top shelf 371 of the set of shelves 370 based upon a first analysisof the scans from the sensor 374. In this example, available space 380is located on the top shelf 371. The available space is of sufficientdimensions (e.g., height, width, depth, volume) for a product to bepositioned at the space.

Based upon an analysis of the scans, a location of the selected product377 on the customer shelves 372 is determined and whether the locationis within a predetermined distance of the available space on the topshelf is also determined. In this example, a distance 382 is determinedto exist between the product 377 and the available space 380. Thedistance 382 is compared to a predetermined threshold. If the distance382 is below the threshold, then the space 380 can be used to hold aproduct of the same type as the product 377. In other words, adetermination is made as to whether the space 380 is really meant tostore a product of the same type as the product 377. When the distanceis too great, then it is assumed that the space 380 is meant for aproduct of a different type than the product 377.

In other examples, the top shelf may be divided by markers (e.g.,visible markers) that divide product space into areas. Each of the areasmay be linked to a product type. The linkage can be stored in adatabase. Images obtained from the sensor 374 can be analyzed todetermine whether open space exists within certain of the delineatedareas. When open space is found in one of the areas, the associatedproduct can be easily ascertained using the data structure.Consequently, whether open space exists on the top shelf for aparticular product is determined.

A determination is also made as whether there is inventory of theselected product 377 in the back room based at least in part upon theback room inventory value. When there is available space 380 on the topshelf 371, when the available space 380 is within a predetermineddistance of the location of the product 377, and when there is inventoryof the selected product 377 in the back room, instructions aretransmitted to the automated vehicle 379 to cause the automated vehicleto selectively move at least some of the selected product 377 from theback room to the top shelf 371.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that a wide variety of othermodifications, alterations, and combinations can also be made withrespect to the above described embodiments without departing from thescope of the invention, and that such modifications, alterations, andcombinations are to be viewed as being within the ambit of the inventiveconcept.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system that is configured to control themovement of products between a back room in a retail store and a salesarea in the retail store, the system comprising: an automated vehicledisposed at a retail store; a shelving system disposed in the retailstore, the retail store having a back room, the shelving systemincluding a top shelf and customer shelves, wherein the top shelf ispositioned generally above the customer shelves, wherein the top shelfand the back room are not accessible to the public, and wherein thecustomer shelves are accessible to the public; a first sensor disposedat the retail store that is configured to obtain first scans of the topshelf; a second sensor disposed at the retail store that is configuredto obtain second scans of the customer shelves; a database, the databasedisposed at the retail store and configured to store a back roominventory value for the selected product, the back room inventory valuebeing the amount of the selected product present in the back room; atransceiver circuit disposed at the retail store and coupled to thedatabase, the first sensor and the second sensor; a network that iscoupled to the transceiver circuit; a control circuit that is coupled tothe network and is disposed at a central processing location, thecontrol circuit configured to: receive the first scans from the firstsensor, the second scans from the second sensor, and the back roominventory value from the database; determine when there is availablespace and a location of the available space for a selected product onthe top shelf of the set of shelves based upon a first analysis of thefirst scans; based upon a second analysis of the second scans, determinea product location of the selected product on the customer shelves andwhether the product location is within a predetermined distance of theavailable space on the top shelf; determine when there is inventory ofthe selected product in the back room based at least in part upon theback room inventory value; when there is available space on the topshelf, when the location of the available space is within apredetermined distance of the product location, and when there isinventory of the selected product in the back room, transmit firstinstructions to the automated vehicle to cause the automated vehicle toselectively move at least some of the selected product from the backroom to the top shelf.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the firstsensor is coupled to a ceiling of the store.
 3. The system of claim 2,wherein the first sensor is a camera.
 4. The system of claim 1, whereinthe second sensor is a scanner or a camera.
 5. The system of claim 1,wherein the control circuit is further configured to transmit secondinstructions to the automated vehicle to cause the automated vehicle todetermine when there is inventory of the selected product in the backroom.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the back room includes aplurality of bins.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the control circuittransmits second instructions to place the selected product in aposition in the back room allowing the automated vehicle to retrieve theselected product before other products.
 8. The system of claim 1,wherein the automated vehicle is an automated ground vehicle or anautomated aerial vehicle.
 9. A method for controlling the movement ofproducts between a back room in a retail store and the top shelf of ashelving system in the retail store, the shelving system also includingcustomer shelves, wherein the top shelf is positioned generally abovethe customer shelves, wherein the top shelf and the back room are notaccessible to the public, and wherein the customer shelves areaccessible to the public, the method comprising: obtaining first scansof the top shelf; obtaining second scans of the customer shelves;storing a back room inventory value for the selected product, the backroom inventory value being the amount of the selected product present inthe back room; receiving the first scans from the first sensor, thesecond scans from the second sensor, and the back room inventory valuefrom the database; determining when there is available space for aselected product on the top shelf of the set of shelves based upon afirst analysis of the first scans; based upon a second analysis of thesecond scans, determining a location of the selected product on thecustomer shelves and whether the location is within a predetermineddistance of the available space on the top shelf; determining when thereis inventory of the selected product in the back room based at least inpart upon the back room inventory value; when there is available spaceon the top shelf, when the available space is within a predetermineddistance of the location, and when there is inventory of the selectedproduct in the back room, transmitting first instructions to anautomated vehicle to cause the automated vehicle to selectively move atleast some of the selected product from the back room to the top shelf.10. The method of claim 9, wherein the first sensor is coupled to aceiling of the store.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the sensingdevice is a camera.
 12. The method of claim 9, wherein the second sensoris a scanner or a camera.
 13. The method of claim 9, further comprisingtransmitting second instructions to an automated vehicle to cause theautomated vehicle to determine when there is inventory of the selectedproduct in the back room.
 14. The method of claim 9, wherein the backroom includes a plurality of bins.
 15. The method of claim 9, furthercomprising transmitting second instructions to place the selectedproduct in a position in the back room allowing the automated vehicle toretrieve the selected product before other products.
 16. The method ofclaim 9, wherein the automated vehicle is an automated ground vehicle oran automated aerial vehicle.